Appearing in the same issue as the cover,
"Too Thin, Massa Grant," this cartoon is another response to the
Republican waving of the "bloody shirt." It is based on Ulysses S.
Grant's vote for Democrat James Buchanan in the 1856 presidential election, and
thereby tries to associate Grant with slavery. Of slovenly attire and dimwitted
countenance, Grant casts his ballot for "Buchanan and Extension of
Slavery," while his slave sits upon a cord of wood. At the time, the racist
catch-phrase "the Nigger in the woodpile" referred to a surprising
secret that was kept hidden from others; in this case, Grant's voting record.